Assailant in mall attack is sentenced to 14 years

Lamond Johnson, who was 17 when he abducted a 41-year-old woman Oct. 13 from the parking lot of Westfield Shoppingtown Franklin Park, was sentenced by Judge Frederick McDonald to the prison time for rape, kidnapping, and aggravated robbery. He was convicted in May.

Johnson, formerly of 39 City Park Ave., Lot 39, kidnapped the woman after threatening her with a knife about 9 p.m., then drove her to a nearby gas station and raped her. He later took her

to a secluded area near City Park and the Anthony Wayne Trail and sexually assaulted her again.

About 11:30 p.m., Johnson took the woman's wallet, credit cards, and paycheck and fled from the car. He was caught two days later.

Yesterday, Thomas Szyperski, Johnson's attorney, said his client has psychological and anger-management problems. But he knew hearing about Johnson's "traumatic" childhood would do little to ease the victim's pain.

"You endured one night of hell and horror and that can never be taken away," Mr. Szyperski said to the woman.

The woman attended the hearing, but did not speak in court. Johnson apologized to her and said he'll be a "changed man" when he leaves prison.

He said he realized his apology won't make up for the anguish suffered by the victim.

Denise Cubbon, an assistant Lucas County prosecutor, said the woman acted courageously during and after the attack.

"I wouldn't think that any sentence would make her whole - would make her family whole - after the night she endured," Ms. Cubbon said after the hearing.

Johnson, now 18, was found by Judge McDonald to be a sexual predator, which means he'll have to register his location with the sheriff's office every 90 days for the rest of his life after his release.

Under Ohio's sentencing guidelines, Johnson will have to serve almost all of the 14 years before he is released.